Study: Corticosteroid creams do not thin skin

Good news for parents who use certain creams to treat eczema on their children.

A new study finds long-term use of topical corticosteroid creams does not cause any major negative side effects.

Many parents worry those cream or lotions, which are applied to the skin, might be problematic. As a result, some try not to use the creams as much. Researchers say that worry can lead to poorly managed eczema in children.

The most common fear is the ointments will cause thinning of the child's skin. But doctors reporting in the journal "Pediatric Dermatology" said their study showed no thinning of the skin. They hope parents are reassured by this latest report.